Utensil basket for institutional dishwashing machines

Apparatus for use in washing eating utensils and the like, comprising:

• a. a foraminous basket formed with a plurality of adjacent compartments open to one side of said basket for receiving utensils selectively placed therein,
• b. foraminous cover means connected to said basket for movement from a closed position across said compartments to an open position, and,
• c. locking means for securing said cover means to said basket,
• d. said basket being formed with a back wall and at least one side wall substantially perpendicular to one another whereby said basket may be placed on said back wall in a horizontal position for loading and unloading said compartments and in an upright position on said one side wall for washing,
• e. said cover means including a pair of panels hinged to opposite sides of said basket, one of said panels being free to reciprocate over a limited distance, said one panel being formed with a lug and a lip at the free edge thereof,
• f. a loop formed in said basket in position to be in adjacent registration with said lug when said one panel is closed, said lug being engageable with said loop by reciprocation of said one panel, said lip extending in front of said other panel to lock said other panel in closed position.